Customer Reviews

Defense for the Devil

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wilhelm is one of those writers who gets overwhelmed by the publicity machines that promote Grisham, et. al. So she seems to have become Grishamesque in an effort to sell books. Too bad. I found this one tedious and overcomplicated with bad guys suddenly dropped in from nowhere. It also lacked the character development that has elevated her other books above run of the mill. I suspect the hand of an overeager editor and publisher because Wilhelm seems too intelligent to turn out this mish mash.

And does anyone know what's become of John?

Seventeen years ago, the townsfolk of Folsum, Oregon ran Mitch Arno out of town. The nasty Mitch left behind an abused wife and infant. Now he is back in town, prepared to throw his weight around since he carries a suitcase filled with money and an attaché case containing valuable but stolen software. A few hours after his reappearance, someone murders Mitch.

The initial thought is that his spouse could not deal with being a punching bag. However, the police soon turn to

Mitch's brother Ray, whom they arrest. Barbara Holloway, known for wining hopeless cases, cannot defend Ray due to a conflict of interest. Still, she cannot idly stand by and watch as Ray's lawyer provides his client a defense pathetic enough tto get him hanged.Instead, she tries to prove from the sidelines that Ray is innocent.

In her fourth legal thriller, Barbara remains an entertaining, feisty character. However, the same cannot be said this time about the major support cast. For instance neither Ray nor Maggie (Mitch's spouse) generate empathy because they appear one-dimensional. On the other hand, Mitch is a complex protagonist, who will elicit strong reaction from the audience. The complex story line is vintage Kate Wilhelm as it rapidly moves forward to an exhilarating climax even with several interesting sub-plots added to provide depth. DEFENSE FOR THE DEVIL needs no reader defense as it's a believable, well-written entry to a fine series.

Harriet Klausner

There were some negative reviews for "Defense for the Devil" but I must say those reviewers were awfully picky. As in all books there were a couple of minor "glitch points", but as a recreational read, Kate Wilhelm has produced another great "page turner" book. I hope she does an additional dozen Barbara Holloway novels; I will buy every one!!!!!

I was so excited to see the new Wilhelm book but a bit disappointed when I read it. The story itself was okay but I thought the editing was terrible and a couple of characters (eg Waters) seemed to appear as one person and then as another with little explanation about who/what they were all about. I'm also a little tired of Barbara's relationships, or lack, thereof. With all that said, Wilhelm is still one of my favorites writers and I eagerly await her next book!

I love legal thrillers. There were times I got bogged down in the constant infusion of characters. As an attorney I was sometimes uncomfortable about the actions taken by the main character in representing her clients. I thoroughly enjoyed the courtroom scenes. They were very realistic. I would definitely read another Kate Wilhelm book

Barbara Holloway agrees to represent Maggie Folsum, whose former husband has reappeared just long enough to threaten Maggie and vandalize the bed and breakfast she operates. Mitch Arno has become a career criminal, and Barbara wants to be sure Maggie gets to keep the large amount of cash that's come into her possession via Mitch (however unintentional that was on his part). For Maggie has been supporting two daughters on her own from their birth to young adulthood, and she's more than owed what Mitch was carrying. Things get complicated, though, when Mitch turns up dead - tortured and murdered - and his brother, Ray, is arrested for the crime. Trial lawyer Barbara cannot represent Ray Arno and Maggie Folsum at the same time, but she has to see justice done. That's her inheritance from her father, Frank, a still active criminal lawyer who works with Barbara on many cases (this one included). It is also her obsession, to the point where she starts to frighten her partner, John, who has children he dares not bring anywhere near Barbara as the mob boss who employed Mitch Arno closes in.

I don't recall reading a "legal thriller" before, although I've been avidly reading both fiction and nonfiction since childhood. Author Wilhelm was recommended to me by a dear friend, and I enjoyed this first venture into her work so much that I immediately started reading another Barbara Holloway book. Wilhelm's writing style does jar me a bit, particularly her habit of summarizing part of a scene and doing this right in the middle of a passage of dialog. However, I cared about her characters and the plot more than held my interest. And what cat lover (especially one who's had a Maine coon!) could possibly help laughing at Thing One and Thing Two?

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 science fiction EPPIE winner "Regs"

Wilhelm's books are interesting but to ask for 12.00 for an out-of-print ten year old book is ridiculous. Good luck! The author should insist that older books go for a couple of dollars in order to hook new readers.

Except for the somewhat overblown squabbling between the protagonist and her boyfriend, the best part of this series is the relationships. They're well rendered and pleasant to be part of. Even the cats are fun -- or maybe especially. The plot is interesting, too, and quite tricky. And in this episode, the judge acts more like a real one would. The author sometimes prattles -- I have no need to know about sweaty socks and detailed snack menus, etc.

This book by Kate Wilhelm was an exciting thriller.That will have its reader on the edge of their chair. In the book Kate gives very detailed discriptions on of the characters. Also because the settings change so much the book gives background information about each setting. Defense for the Devil also gives an example of what the life of a lawyer maybe like. What type of questions they ask their clients.

I wasn't able to read more than ninety pages of this book. Usually I devour Kate Wilhem's Barbara Gordon mysteries in a day or two and can't leave my seat until I'm finished. This time I got bored, the story didn't interest me, it dragged on, wasn't tightly written, didn't get to the heart of the issues. Don't know what happened this time but it was a mediocre plot, boring characters whom one doesn't really care about except the main character and those closest to her. Will reserve judgment until I read the next book.